The new FIFA 23 icons have been confirmed, and former Liverpool and Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso is among the illustrious trio to lead the charge.
Joining him in FIFA 23's ICONs series are legendary German striker Gerd Muller, and Brazilian hero Jairzinho, with 100 legends of the game playable on FIFA 23.
Xabi Alonso and Gerd Muller lead new group of FIFA 23 icons
Two-time Champions League winner Xabi Alonso is one of the new additions to the FIFA 23 icons. Alonso played under Rafa Benitez at Liverpool, scoring in the 2005 Champions League final win over Milan, before adding another winner's medal with Real Madrid in 2014.
His international career also saw great success, as he was part of the iconic Spanish team which won three international tournaments in a row from 2008 to 2012. He set up Andres Iniesta's winning goal in the 2010 World Cup final, and started every game in that campaign.
He joins the ICONs series on FIFA 23 as recognition for his illustrious career, which ended at Bayern Munich in 2017.
Your favourite midfielder's favourite midfielder 🪄@XabiAlonso's ICON status confirmed. He's in #FIFA23 https://t.co/GaBLWu3eGD pic.twitter.com/LebpFRwWRb
— EA SPORTS FIFA (@EASPORTSFIFA) September 10, 2022
READ HERE: There Are Some Major Changes Coming To FIFA 23 Ultimate Team
Alongside Alonso is the late Gerd Muller, one of the greatest goalscorers in football history.
The German scored the winning goal in the 1974 World Cup final, and stood as the all-time top goalscorer in the competition's history until 2006 when his record was broken by Ronaldo of Brazil.
He sadly died in 2021, but remains one of the true greats of the game.
The standard for goal-scoring strikers 🎯💣
Gerd Müller joins the #FIFA23 ICONshttps://t.co/GaBLWu3Mwb pic.twitter.com/XdJEqUxHVe— EA SPORTS FIFA (@EASPORTSFIFA) September 10, 2022
READ HERE: A Couple of Big Changes Are Coming To FIFA 23 Career Mode
The final addition to FIFA 23 ICONs is Brazilian legend Jairzinho. A part of one of the all-time great football teams, he won the 1970 World Cup with Brazil, scoring in their 4-1 win in the final over Italy.
Scoring in every FIFA World Cup™ match from the Group Stage all the way through the final 🌀🏆
Jairzinho's an ICON in #FIFA23 👏 https://t.co/GaBLWu3eGD pic.twitter.com/p74hNHYpgX— EA SPORTS FIFA (@EASPORTSFIFA) September 10, 2022
Most of the icons present on previous iterations will return for FIFA 23, including Irishman Roy Keane, Northern Irish hero George Best, and the likes of Pelé, Ferenc Puskas, Eric Cantona, Johan Cruyff, and Paolo Maldini.
SEE ALSO: Watch: The New FIFA 23 Tackle Technique Is Going To Cause Chaos
